Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that the European Championship in Germany will be “without a doubt” the last of his impressive career.
The 2024 Euros mark Ronaldo’s record-breaking sixth appearance in a European Championships.
The next tournament will be hosted by the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland in four years, when Ronaldo will be 43.
“Without a doubt it’s the last Euro [for me], of course it is,” Ronaldo told Portugal TV’s RTP.
“But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people’s passion… it’s not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?”
Ronaldo, who made his debut with Portugal in 2003 and won the tournament 2016, is the men’s all-time leading scorer with 130 goals.
“The most important thing about the journey I’ve been on is the enthusiasm I still have for being here,” he said.
“It’s 20 years representing and playing with the national team, bringing joy to people, to the family, my children, that is what motivates me most.”
Ronaldo’s mental strength was tested on Monday when he saw his 114th-minute penalty shot kept out by Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Portugal won the round-of-16 game, beating Slovenia in a penalty shootout that saw Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa save all three of Slovenia’s attempts.
The Al Nassr superstar broke down in tears as the game went to a penalty shootout and had to be consoled by his teammates.
“It’s football; those who fail are those who try, too,” Ronaldo said. “I will always do my best for this shirt, whether I fail or not.
“As you saw, I missed the penalty but I wanted to be the first to score [on the penalty shootout] because you have to take responsibility when the team has to. You can’t be afraid, I’ve never been afraid to face things head on, sometimes I get it right, sometimes I don’t, but giving up is something you’ll never hear from my name.”
Ronaldo, who is the record goal scorer in the history of the competition with 14 goals, has yet to find the back of the net in Germany.
“Obviously it’s frustrating when we can’t score, but it’s football,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said.
“In the end, the result was positive was the most important thing.
“I lose twice this year on penalties [to Al Ain in a penalty shootout in the Asian Champions League quarterfinals and to Al Hilal in the King Cup of Champions final], and now I won.
“I think football sometimes has to be fair, and it was fair because I think Portugal deserved to win.”
Portugal will now face France in the quarterfinals on Friday.
“We will now have a difficult game against France, who are the favourites to win the competition along with Germany and Spain,” Ronaldo said.
“But we are going to war — this is football. The team is doing well, this [win against Slovenia] was a boost of energy that the team had, and we will fight until the end.”